Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Consultant

Play it Forward Zambia (PFZ) is seeking an individual to join our team of dedicated staff in Livingstone as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Consultant. The primary roles for the MEAL Consultant include providing technical and field level support to improving MEAL for different areas of operations of PFZ including programme implementation and information management systems. The person will develop, establish, and implement suitable monitoring tools that allow for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data to staff and stakeholders. The Consultant will seek to collaborate, expand and strengthen working relations with staff, cooperating partners, donors, the community, beneficiaries and other organisations with regard to MEAL issues.

Background

Our mission is to empower young Zambians to develop sustainable livelihoods through quality education and health activities. Play it Forward inspires and empowers a whole new generation of young people to take control of their lives. We engage over 1,500 young people every year in a wide range of programmes from health education & HIV testing to literacy, coding, mentoring and support towards higher education and employment. Our support on and off the pitch ensures that young people emerge from our programmes with new skills to succeed in school, the workforce and in life.

UK Charity Registration Number 1108821
Zambia Non-Profit Registration No. 120170010072

Job Details
Location: Livingstone, Zambia
Salary & Benefits: Competitive
Contract: 6 months
Type: Part-time
Reports to: Country Director (CD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Essential skills and experience

• An appropriate degree level qualification in a relevant discipline, such as Monitoring & Evaluation, Project Management, or Social Sciences
• Minimum of 3-5 years project management experience working in/with government, intergovernmental or international NGO organisations, preferably with some experience in Sport for Development._
• Strong knowledge of principles and current approaches to MEAL of development programmes using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong experience in conducting assessments and surveys.
• Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.
• Excellent planning and organisation skills.
• Excellent English communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to write reports.
• High-level computer skills Main duties and responsibilities

1. Monitoring and Evaluation

Key Deliverable: Strong systems for planning, delivering and evaluating projects for clearly measurable impact.

• Develop and maintain a robust MEAL system that is appropriate to the organisation where MEAL-related documents, reports, and tools including are organised, up-to-date and accessible.
• Lead and ensure that all projects are in compliance with PFZ MEAL Policies and Procedures and programmes as they relate to MEAL.
• Ensure that donors’ MEAL and reporting requirements are adequately incorporated in projects’ M&E plans.
• Develop and continually update a MEAL operation manual in line with PFZ strategy and Work Plan.
• Ensure the consistency of tools, controls, indicators and methodologies for data management and analysis across projects as appropriate.
• Lead the implementation of data quality controls and data quality assessments to ensure the integrity of project data.
• Coordinate the implementation of program assessments and evaluations including baseline and end line assessments to recognise results of projects.
• Collaborate with the Programmes Manager and team to communicate assessment findings to different stakeholders, tailored to the needs of various audiences.
• Conduct field monitoring visits events frequently with project teams and implementing partners. Document, summarise and report monitoring findings for programme quality and decision-making purposes on a regular basis.
• Using the learning and achievement of projects, assist to develop new project proposals, ensuring that participants are involved in the process, along with relevant members of staff

2. Accountability

Key Deliverable: Ensure accountability to projects and donor requirements and creation of a conducive environment for obtaining feedback from project beneficiaries.

• Lead the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries, and ensure that beneficiary feedback is adequately analysed and documented
• Coordinate and support projects for accountability specific requirements including accountability needs for project implementation.
• Support programme staff to incorporate participatory methods into community-level M&E systems and tools and ensure the involvement of beneficiaries in communities to define indicators for project success.
• Orient programme staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of beneficiary accountability.
• Coordinate with the Country Director as Safeguarding Lead for accountability related to issues that involve safeguarding of beneficiaries during project implementation.

3. Learning

Key Deliverable: Ensure learning of experiences and best practices and acquisition of feedback from project beneficiaries enabling management to make informed and timely decisions regarding PFZ projects.

• Coordinate and facilitate post-project review meetings for learning with staff.
• Promote learning and assist staff in documenting and implementing lessons learned and good practices.
• Coordinate and conduct MEAL self-assessment with staff and project coordinators.
• Support the elaboration of success stories and case studies – modify as needed based on the intended audience.

4.Capacity Building and Supervision

Key Deliverables: Build the capacity of staff through training and support for greater responsibility and effective implementation of M&E systems.

• Train and provide on job support to staff and project coordinators.
• Provide oversight over all MEAL activities and supervise enumerators.
• Provide high quality mentoring and coaching of staff and partners on MEAL.
• Address poor performance promptly and constructively and raise concerns with project implementations with the Country Director for quick action.
• Contribute to monitoring and sharing donor trends.

To learn more about the work we do visit our new website: https://play-itforward.org/

How to apply

We welcome applications from people of all ages (over 18) and backgrounds who have the skills and experience to help strengthen our team.

Please submit your CV along with a cover letter of no more than one A4 page outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]. In the email subject area, clearly indicate, “MEAL Consultant-Play it Forward”.

Due to the high number of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Applications deadline is Friday 22nd January.